MS Baltic Princess

MS Baltic Princess is a cruiseliner owned by the Estonia-based ferry operator Tallink and operated under their Silja Line brand. She was built by Aker Finnyards Helsinki New Shipyard in Helsinki, Finland in 2008. The ship began service on the cruise route between Helsinki, Finland to Tallinn, Estonia on 17 August 2008.^[3] From 1 February 2013 the ship began service on the Turku–Mariehamn–Stockholm route.

Baltic Princess in Mariehamn Harbour, June 2022
History
Finland
Name	Baltic Princess
Owner	Tallink[1]
Operator	Silja Line
Port of registry	2013– Mariehamn,  Finland[1] 2008–13 Tallinn,  Estonia
Route	2008–13: Helsinki–Tallinn 2013–22: Turku–Mariehamn/Långnäs–Stockholm 2022-June 2024: Turku–Långnäs–Kapellskär June 2024 onwards: Turku–Mariehamn/Långnäs–Stockholm
Ordered	19 December 2005[1]
Builder	Aker Finnyards Helsinki New Shipyard, Finland (section of the hull built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique, France)[1]
Cost	€165 million[2]
Yard number	1361[1]
Laid down	14 November 2006 (at Chantiers de l'Atlantique)[1]
Launched	9 March 2008 (from Helsinki New Shipyard)[1]
Christened	6 March 2008 by Eva Hanschmidt[1][2]
Acquired	10 July 2008[3]
Maiden voyage	5 July 2008
In service	15 July 2008[3]
Identification	Call sign: OJQF MMSI number: 230639000 IMO number: 9354284
Status	In service
General characteristics [4]
Class and type	Galaxy class cruiseferry
Tonnage	GT/ NT/ DWT. 48915/ 30860/ 6287
Length	212.10 m (695 ft 10 in)[1]
Beam	29.00 m (95 ft)
Decks	12
Ice class	1 A Super
Installed power	4 × Wärtsilä 16V32 diesels[1] combined 32,000 kilowatts (43,000 hp)
Speed	24.5 kn (45.4 km/h; 28.2 mph)
Capacity	2,800 passengers 2,500 berths[citation needed] 420 cars[citation needed] 1,130 lanemeters

Concept and construction

The forward section of Baltic Princess at Helsinki New Shipyard, March 2007

The Baltic Princess was ordered as Tallink's fourth new cruiseliner in December 2005.^[2] The purpose of the vessel was at the time undisclosed, but after Tallink's purchase of Silja Line in 2006 it was revealed that the ship would replace MS Galaxy on the Tallinn–Helsinki cruise route. The ship was christened on March 6, 2008.^[2]

The forward sections of the ship was constructed at Aker Yards' Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in France and was towed to Helsinki in April 2007. In September the section was towed into the drydock where the hull was completed. The ship was floated out of drydock in Helsinki on 9 March 2008 after being officially christened.^[1]

Service history

Baltic Princess was delivered to Tallink on 10 July 2008 and she entered the Tallinn–Helsinki route on 15 July 2008.^[3]

On 2 February 2013, MS Baltic Princess entered the Turku–Åland–Stockholm service and was re-flagged from Estonia to Finland. She was replaced on the Tallinn–Helsinki service by Silja Europa.^[5]